Regardless, the governor's office confirmed she would comply, even as she vowed to keep fighting the case. The governor is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review her appeal of the 9th Circuit decision.

The move in Arizona to deny the licenses was a reaction to steps taken by the Obama administration in June 2012 to shield thousands of immigrants from deportation.

Brewer's move marked the nation's most visible challenge to the Obama policy.

Nebraska is the only other state to have made similar denials, and a federal judge this year dismissed a lawsuit contesting that state's policy.

The move by Obama applied to people younger than 30 who came to the U.S. before turning 16 and have been in the country for at least five continuous years, They also must be enrolled in or have graduated from a high school or GED program, or have served in the military. Applicants also are allowed to pursue a two-year renewable work permit.

Brewer issued her executive order in August 2012 directing state agencies to deny driver's licenses and other public benefits to immigrants who get work authorization under the deferred-action program.

Brewer's attorneys argued the move grew from liability concerns and the desire to reduce the risk of the licenses being used to improperly access public benefits.

In July, the 9th Circuit concluded there was no legitimate state interest in treating the immigrants differently from other noncitizens who could apply for driver's licenses. Instead, the court suggested Brewer's order was intended to express hostility toward the immigrants, in part because of the federal government's policy toward them.

Last month, Obama issued a broader executive order on immigration that lifts the threat of deportation from millions of immigrants living illegally in the U.S.

A group of 24 states, including Arizona, joined in a federal lawsuit alleging Obama overstepped his constitutional powers in a way that will only worsen the humanitarian problems along the southern U.S. border.